Had the great pleasure of re-connecting with fellow SGV alum, Hawdwerk. We met up in Alhambra, then cruised over to Eagle Rock, to my new studio to catch up and create some photos together. Check out my interview with The Rough Handed Bandit below and leave a comment...best comment gets a signed 8x10 and an awesome Hardwerk merch T-Shirt mailed directly to you!
ec - How long have you been making Hip Hop music? Do you produce and write all your own raps?
HW - I've been making music since 2006, I write my own songs for now and I'm just learning how to produce beats so everything up to now has been produced by other talented producers.
ec - Can you talk about your creative process? What is the ideal situation for you to make and create art and music?
HW - I like to work with producers that can create a wide range of sound and I only pick beats that I feel like only I can rap on. I've also started producing music to make sure I never have a lack of "HAWDWERK type beats," it's hard not to sound like yourself on your own beats. From there I just let the beat take control of the songwriting and come up with hooks before I work on verses. I'll record lil bits of lyrics or melodies or beats into my phone and then build on that when I get into the studio. I like to come up with all the lyrics in my head and write it all out after it's recorded cause it frees me from putting myself into a rapper box where you can only use a notebook or a phone note pad or anything that's dogmatic to creation of music. The more I can come up with unique ways to get the ideas out the more in control of my destiny I am. I have an awesome home studio where I get to create what I want when I want. I have access to other studios though when I need to change the vibe or have more people in on the session! I really don't worry too much about ambience (lights, art etc) although that stuff is definitely a plus, if we have equipment to make music we're making music.
ec - 5 great, current albums/projects?
HW - Wow let's see, Jay Z - 4:44, Alex Isley - Luxury, and since I'm not listening to a whole lot of full projects these days (to keep my sound pure) I'll say - the Future Beats SoundCloud channel, Cardi B's "Bodak Yellow" single, and Cam Gnarly's "Juice" single.
ec - Where can people find your latest work? What’s your favorite social site to interact with fans at?
HW - I'm everywhere you are - Spotify, Tidal, Apple Music etc., just search HAWDWERK but you can also visit my Bandcamp (hawdwerk.bandcamp.com) and I'm building my SoundCloud now (soundcloud.com/hawdwerk). And, Instagram for sure! I get super creative there and even have Instagram tutorials, you def gotta follow me on the gram!
Thanks for reading and let me know if there's any other rad artists you think I should give a Lissen to.
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